Solar Eclipse First Since 1994, Next One Is 2023

The phenomenon occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun, but only blocks about 90% of the star, leaving a ring which glows brightly around the blackened-out moon.

The eclipse will be visible across several western states, including Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and parts of Texas.

But don’t look at the eclipse directly.

Areas of China and Japan will also be able to see Sunday’s eclipse.

“I recommend anyone who has the chance to see this, because while they do happen occasionally, it’s a fairly rare event,” Jeffrey Newmark, a solar physics specialist with NASA, told CNN. “It’s a neat thing to see.”

He added, however, that viewers should not try to look upon the eclipse with their naked eyes as it could cause blindness.

Those who wish to look directly at the event should use eclipse glasses, dark welder’s goggles or an astronomer’s filter made for sun viewing, he said.